UGotClass: Certificate in Basic Game Design

Learn@Home: Online, on your own time
Games are increasingly recognized as a tool that can serve many business purposes beyond entertainment. This Certificate provides you with a general introduction to what goes into the design and development of both video and analog games, with a particular focus on the use of games outside of consumer entertainment.

In the first course, you will discover resources for developing game design, identify the mechanics and verbs used in different games. You will come away with knowing the different activities that are part of game design, being able to flesh out a game idea in order to increase the chances to having a successful game design experience, and have a basic understanding of how to work with game developers.

In the second course, you will you will learn the basics of video game design process, learn about the main video game genres, and use a game development application to begin your journey of making games.

By successfully completing this Certificate in Basic Game Design, you will have taken the first steps into understanding game design, and being able to create your own games.

Agenda

Unit 1 What Makes a Game?
• Practical Definition for Game
• The Anatomy of a Game
• Games and Play
• Different Types of Games

Unit 2 Essentials of Design
• Getting Beyond a Game Idea
• Game Verbs and Game Mechanics 
• Documentation
• Test Early, Test Often

Unit 3 Game Design: Solo and in Teams
• Defining Development Needs
• Roles in Game Design
• Finding Design and Development Partners

Unit 4 Serious Games & Gamification
• Games Beyond Entertainment
• Designing "Serious" Games
• Gamification
• Designing Gamification Systems

Unit 5 A brief history of Video Game Development
• Arcades & Consoles
• From PCs to Multiplayer
• Play a Game -Game Analysis
• Game Maker Introduction

Unit 6 Player Motivation
• Geographics, demographics, and psychographics 
• Who Plays 
• Why We Play
• Game Maker Making Art: About Sprites, Objects, Rooms

Unit 7 Platforms, Genres and Story Elements
• Game Application: The Audience
• Platforms & Player Modes
• Story Elements: Premise, Backstory, Synopsis, Theme, & Setting
• Character Archetypes & Character Development
• Game Maker: Programming Events & Actions

Unit 8 The Production Process
• Documentation: The Game Design Doc
• Creating the Team
• Production Phases
• Marketing
• Game Maker: Your First Game


No discounts or promotions can be applied to this class.